A/N: Thanks to my beta, Olethros.
Erik: the Vampire Hunter - The Continuing Adventures
Episode 20
By: Elektra
66 Laramie Dr.
Erik stood impatiently as Martine drew a symbol on the floor with chalk. She was still moving with great effort, as the wound in her chest had not completely healed. She sat within the circle and closed her eyes.
Meditating, she had claimed. Erik had no time for her meditating, but he also knew that it was the only way he would get any answers.
"The main door into Hades is near the Temple of Apollo in Italy," Martine began, "But being that Orpheus disappeared near the Temple of Apollo in Greece, I can only gather that it is a back door of sorts."
"You knew where Orpheus was all this time?" Erik demanded.
"More or less. I am his second mother, so to speak," she explained. "It would be irresponsible of me not to keep track of him."
Erik seethed, his hand clenching into a fist, "We have been looking for him for over a month!"
Martine shrugged, "It's not my fault you couldn't find him."
He narrowed his golden eyes, "I was planning to find a way to free him from Hades' debt! You could have helped us."
"You didn't ask me for help. The last thing I wanted was for my dear Oren to be sucked back down into the Underworld, even if you were attempting to barter his freedom. Unfortunately… he is there now, regardless."
"Hades does have him, then?"
Martine nodded. "But only the dead may enter Hades. Oren–Orpheus–was dead and revived. You, on the other hand…" she studied Erik for a few moments, then released a breath. "You are very much alive. Though I must admit, you provide an excellent imitation of a corpse."
"How do I get in there?" Erik asked, having little patience for Martine's snide comments.
"Your father is the key," Martine pointed out. "He inhabits your body… and he is very much dead. He was never truly alive to begin with. No doubt that is one of the factors that led to your hideous appearance."
Erik winced at the laughter in his head. "She's right, you know. But think about it, son - what makes for a grander trophy? A non-corporeal spirit, or a living dead man?"
Erik ignored the voice and spoke to Martine once again, "So where should I go then?" he asked. "Italy or Greece?"
"Being that you're a sneaky creature, I would recommend the back door, but I doubt it would make a difference this late in the game. He's already expecting you."
Martine pushed herself to her feet and reached a hand out to grab Erik's shoulder as he turned to go. "There is one more thing, and it's very important. You need an anchor."
Erik furrowed his brow beneath his mask. "An anchor?"
"Something to give you a reason to come back, or else you will find yourself there permanently." Martine smiled, "I think, however, you already have that reason. Just keep her in your thoughts constantly while you're down there. If you forget her for even a second, Hades will jump on the opportunity to make you forget her permanently."
"I could never forget her," Erik insisted.
"In the long run, that's true. But should things get hectic down there, if for only a moment your thoughts wander to something else, if for only a moment you let the river Lethe overpower you-"
"I understand."
"You couldn't possibly understand until you're faced with it," Martine replied. "But go on, now. You have a lot to do."
Erik left Martine and quickly set about making plans for a trip to Italy.
Garner/Daaé Residence – the next day
"Does this mean the tour is off?" Loki asked as he levitated around Erik as the masked man set about packing provisions for his trip.
"What tour?" he grumbled.
"The tour I was planning for CAM," Loki pouted. "Now you're going to be dead and we won't be able to-"
Erik's hand shot out, grabbing the small god by the throat. "What made you think I would have agreed to a tour? I will NOT be put on display!" He tossed Loki over his shoulder.
The god quickly righted himself in mid-air.
Loki sighed, "You make it sound so terrible. Really, Erik… it's not that bad to have fame and fortune."
"I have the fortune. It's the fame I don't want!"
"Yes, that's what they all say. Until they have the pretty ladies knocking on their doors," Loki replied, then laughed, "Oh, I forgot. You already have one of those. Well, then I suppose you DON'T really need the fame."
Loki then grew sober. "If I may ask - what, exactly, are her thoughts on this vacation of yours?"
"She's not happy. I was given an earful last night." Erik replied. "I did not heed her."
"Hmm, you do that a lot," Loki answered. "And yet, you think you're ready for marriage."
"This from a god who is known for his many mistresses," Erik muttered.
"Picking on my marriage is not the way to prove your point."
"I'm not trying to prove any point," Erik snapped as he continued stuffing things into his backpack.
"Obviously. Otherwise you would understand Christine's wishes in regards to your latest life decisions, wouldn't you?" Loki needled. "Come now, Erik. Allowing yourself to be possessed by your father? Going down into the Underworld where you may never return? I doubt those choices sat well with her. Did you even consider how she would feel?" He sighed, "I suppose I will have to comfort the poor girl once you're gone. She'll be ripe for some male attention by then."
"I don't have time for your taunting now. There are things that have to be done!"
Loki stuck his nose up, "If that's your attitude, you would be better off alone."
Before Erik could respond, the red-haired god disappeared.
Italy – two days later
Erik made his way towards the ruin of the Temple of Apollo. There was little left of what he imagined had once been a grand building.
"Hello…"
Erik spun around at the soft female voice that filled the emptiness. A figure stood before him in white robes. He could see through her. A ghost.
Or a guardian.
"Who are you?"
She smiled, "I was once known as Sibyl. I was a priestess at this temple when it was grand and beautiful. I have guarded the doorway to Hades for eternity."
"I need to get in there," Erik explained. "It's a matter of great importance."
"Isn't it always?" She asked, then studied him carefully. "You're not quite dead… but you hold one that is. I would demand a trial for most. Being, however, that you have found an unfortunate loophole, I must grant you entrance without."
The ground beneath Erik rumbled, a crack splitting open just inches away from where he stood.
"Stand there," Sibyl insisted. "It will open beneath you. I suggest you brace yourself for a fall." Erik did as he was told.
The rumbling grew louder, the ground shaking beneath his feet. Bits of what was left of the ruins began to crumble to the ground.
The ground opened wide, and Erik found himself with nothing to grab onto.
"I do hope you're not holding onto anything important in this world, Erik."
He fell…
Elsewhere
Erik was surrounded by darkness. Cold, icy darkness. He saw nothing, felt nothing, heard nothing. He let out a sudden shout as every bone in his body was jolted against something hard and unforgiving.
The darkness began to fill with an eerie green light. The sound of water lapping against stone filled his ears. He felt a wet mist on his face…
…and realized his mask was gone.
He chuckled quietly. Why should he be concerned with such a trivial thing here and now? He was in the land of the dead. He would fit right in.
Erik pushed to his feet and straightened the pack on his back. Instinct guided him to the left, and he found himself walking along what appeared to be a shore.
He was at Styx, the river that would lead him into the Underworld. The next step was to find the boatman.
Erik wasn't sure how long he walked, or even where he was walking, when he came upon a gondola tied up to a dock. A robed figure stood unmoving at the helm, pole in hand.
"Charon?" Erik asked. The robed figure moved his head at the sound of his name. "Will you take me across?"
A boney hand unclenched beneath the robe, fingers open, palm waiting.
Erik reached into his pocket and pulled out two coins. He placed the coins in the skeletal hand.
Another skinless hand reached up and pulled the hood back.
Charon's empty eyes stared in confusion at the man who had just placed money in his palm, trying to make of Erik what he could.
Erik felt the corners of his lips quirk up as he imagined what was going through the silent boatman's mind. "No, Charon, I am not your relation. Nor am I dead, for that matter – but I am carrying one who is dead."
It took a few moments, but Charon stepped back to allow Erik passage onto the boat and pushed away from the shore.
Later
Erik could not even imagine how much time had passed since arriving at the shores of the Styx and walking in the darkness of the Underworld until he had arrived here.
Cocytus.
The river of lamentation.
Hel had told Erik of this river, but she had not prepared him for what he would see.
He didn't want to look.
"Why hide from it, son?" Sytri asked. "This is the truth. This is what you've done. LOOK, Erik! Look at your handiwork!"
Erik knew one day he would have to deal with his past actions. He had thought it would be after his time on Earth was done, however.
The faces in the murky glowing water were familiar to him. Each and every one of them.
They were the faces of the Executioner's victims. Crying, weeping, grief-stricken.
His fault. All his fault.
Guilt consumed him. Completely, utterly. The pain was almost unbearable. The spirits rose from the water before him, grabbing at him, wailing for him, screaming to curse him.
His fault…
"Live in your guilt, Erik. Stay here. Suffer. Join them. You are worth nothing more."
You're worth so much … to me…
That voice. Those words…
I love you.
"Christine!" Erik shouted out, pulling himself away from the icy clawing hands.
He stumbled back from the river, his eyes darting around the darkness. Darkness that held no secrets from him.
Erik smiled coolly, "Well, father… it seems I inherited something useful from you after all. I can navigate this place as if it were my own home."
He walked towards what seemed to be a bridge. It was chain and wood, decaying at the edges, but useable. He quickly ran to it and stormed over the splintered planks, wanting to get as far from the river as possible.
He knew his sins. He knew his past. He knew the guilt he had always kept hidden deep within. The guilt would be with him all his life. He did not need to be reminded of that right here, right now.
There were far more important things to do at the moment.
Hades' throne room
Hades brushed his fingers through the golden mane of the boy on the ground beside his throne.
"You know, I was rather annoyed when you were taken from here, Orpheus," he said to his companion. "It broke my un-beating heart. To think, you were the one – the only one – who had ever been able to bring tears to my eyes. Crying about your beloved dead wife, begging me to free her from her eternal rest. And then what? You broke the ONE rule I made. Don't look at her until you leave. It was a simple enough rule. You lost your wife, and you wasted my tears."
Orpheus didn't respond. His eyes darted around the throne room desperately.
"Are you looking for my Goddess?" Hades asked. "Alas, she's not here at the moment. Visiting family for the next six months. It's put me in a rather foul temper, I'm afraid."
Orpheus was noticeably stressed by this news.
Hades' black eyes darted to the left for a moment, his head tilted upwards, "Ahh, someone has come to make a trade for you. Perhaps he will have something interesting to offer in exchange. I'm a fair god. If I feel a deal can be reached, it will be reached."
Hades then leaned forward and spoke in Orpheus's ear, "Depending, of course, if he doesn't fall victim to Lethe. You had better pray that boy does not forget his purpose here, else you will have no possible hope of ever leaving my side."
End of Episode 20